Reversing mechanism for engines



(No Model.)

L. O. FORWOOD.

REVERSING MECHANISM FOR ENGINES.

No. 353,850. Patented Dec. '7, 1886.

WITNESSES MW ATTORNEYS.

n. D. c.

N PETERS. Phuloinlwgmphc UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LGBIN G. FOBWOOD, OF SHIPMAN, ILLINOIS.

REVERSING MECHANISM FOR ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 353,850, dated December 7, 1886.

Application filed November 24, 1885. Serial No. 183.861. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LORIN O. FoRWooD, of Shipman, in the countyof Macoupin and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Reversing Mechanisms for Steam-Engines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the annexed drawings, forming a part thereof, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation. Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views showing the working parts of the reversing mechanism, and Fig. 4. is an end View of the hub which carries the eccentric.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

The object of my invention is to provide for steam-engines a device in which the reversing of the valve motion is effected by shifting the eccentric transversely on a shaft.

My invention consists in an eccentric held between collars secured to the main shaft of the engine, and in sliding wedges arranged to move the eccentric transversely across the shaft.

To the shaft A of the engine is secured a hub, B, having collars E E, between which is placed the eccentric F, which is preferably formed of two parts,'a a, secured together by bolts. The eccentric has a central aperture with parallel sides, and slides on guides 1), formed on the parallel edges of the collars E E, and the adjustment of the eccentric relative to the crank of the engine is secured by turning the hub B upon the shaft A. Wedges G and G are fitted to mortises formed in diametrically-opposite sides of the hub B and flanges attached thereto, and are provided with stems c, which are connected with a circumferentially-grooved slide, H, placed loosely on the shaft. The larger end of the wedge G is remote from the slide H, while the larger end of the wedge G is near the slide H, so thatthe Wedges G and G are oppositely arranged with respect to each other. The inclined surfaces of the wedges G and G engage the inner surface of the eccentric F in the ends of the slot formed in the eccentric, so that by moving the slide H lengthwise upon the shaft A one of the wedges will be drawn into the eccentric and the other will be removed therefrom, so that the eccentric will be moved transversely with reference to the shaft A. The proportion of the wedges is such as to admit of moving the eccentric, in the manner already described, sufficiently to reverse the engine, and to give its valve as much stroke as may be required.

When the slide H is moved so as to place the eccentric F in a central position, its periphery will be concentric with the shaft, and the eccentric strap and rod connected therewith will not be moved. By moving the slide H in one direction or the otherany desired amount of throw may be given to the eccentrio-rod.

For convenience in moving the slide H, I provide a forked arm of the usual description, and arrange in connection therewith any of the well-known devices for retaining the arm in the position in which it may be placed.

.The advantage secured by myimprovement is, that the joints and rods required where links are used are entirely avoided, and acorrect movement of the valve is always secured.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent; is

1. The tubular hub B, having diametricallyopposite slots parallel with its axis, and collars E E, provided with parallel guiding-edges, in combination with the eccentric F between the collars and guided by the said edges, the wedges G G, oppositely arranged with respect to each other and workingin theslols in thehub against the inner edges of the eccentric, and the sliding collar H, to which the wedges are joined, substantially as set forth.

2-"Th9 combination, with the shaft A and the tubular hub B, secured thereon to revolve therewith and having the diametrically-opposite slots parallel with the axis, and the collars E E, having parallel guiding-edges b, of

the eccentric F, formed in two parts, a a, se- 4 cured together between the collars E E, and

with an opening having parallel sides sliding IOO 

